The point of the hop is that each writer shares what they consider to be a great read which will allow readers to perhaps experience new books and share their views of the books they have read.

To someone who is a real book lover and reads quite a lot this should be an easy post to write. Well, it has been a tricky one and I had to result to walking up the stairs from where I was sitting writing this to the study and pull out those books that for me made a classic read.

What is MY classic read?

This is a book that I read over and over again. The keepers. In the case of one of those book titles it is as much that copy of the book as the story itself. A classic read is one where you finish reading and feel as though you have just lost a good friend.

A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute is the book for me that is not only a classic read, but also this copy has to be the one read. The moment I see that book, I can recall the story and where I purchased this very copy and all the good memories of that book come to mind.

A Room with a View by E. M. Forster is another such book and I am rather attached to my copy of it. This one obtained from a Waterstones in Guildford in May 1987. I had been to see the film, which stared Helene Bonham Carter, Dame Maggie Smith & Dame Judi Dench and was filmed in my bit of Surrey.

I am going to add another book which I think has just made my classic's list. A book that I saw, obtained, read and reviewed within the last 6 weeks.

The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe.
This was a really beautiful read. It is essentially the story of life, death, friendship, love and books. You can read my review HERE and I am I think likely to re read within a few months.

The last two author's that make my classic reads are Jennifer Chiaverini whose books about the Elm Creek Quilters are devoured incredibly quickly and Helene Hanff, who is most known for her book 84 Charring Cross Road.

9 comments:

Hello Julie from Florida. I read your book review as well as your post, and I found your choices interesting. I have to admit, I've seen the televised version of a Town like Alice years ago, but for some reason, I didn't know it was a book. I want to check it out now. I tend to me more movieish, particularly when it is a book like A Room. I'm a very slow reader with the attention span of a cat, so I have to have sparkly things put before my eyes or I get bored. I wasn't that way when I was younger, but as I've aged, I've become less patient. Thank you for your post. New follower on Google friends and twitter. Java With Jambor

Hello and thanks for stopping by I hope you enjoy following! I think as we age we do become less patient and tolerant and why not? Read or watch the movies, do what you enjoy!

Most films sacrifice accuracy from the book to encourage viewers. A Town Like Alice is a good example of how a film should be, bearing some relevance to the book. In this case it was pretty close and I have not seen the film for years and would like to watch it again.

Hello Greg, Thanks for stopping by and being a new follower. I think I was about 14 when I first saw the film with Brian Brown and it was one of those films that I am simply enthralled with. I then purchased a slightly battered copy from a second hand bookshop. Now that particular copy is a real treasured possession and the story is read at least yearly!

A Town Like Alice, what a great story. I was happily surprised to see it listed. I never heard of the other two books but hope someday I will read them, they sound good. Julie, I also love your quilt backgroound on this blog. Very unique, just like your list. Happy new year.

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About Me

I am a Surrey girl, who is very proud of her roots, which go back almost 300 years in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. I currently live in the West Country of England, but Surrey is always home! I am also half Italian and thus have an interest in Italian culture and genealogy.

After a career in pharmacy management spanning more than 20 years, I made the decision to look at my options as to where my professional life was heading. I wanted to expand my work portfolio within the training and writing arena; to utilise my historical and research skills along with other qualifications and years of experience. I created The Book of Me, Written by You back in the Autumn of 2012. It threads together the focus of my interests and qualifications. Enabling me to encourage others to think beyond the obvious as we analyse our own lives and those of our close family members.

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The material, both written and photographic on these pages is the copyright of Julie Goucher & Anglers Rest unless stated. Material on this site may be used for personal reference only. If you wish to use any of the material on this site for other means, please seek the written permission of Julie Goucher & Anglers Rest.